Netherlands manager Louis Van Gaal has hinted that he would be open to managing Tottenham Hotspur, following recent reports that Van Gaal may be named as Andre Villas Boas, who was sacked by Daniel Levy in acramonious circumstances last Monday, after a string of poor results for the North London club.
Van Gaal, who’s CV includes stints at some of Europe’s top clubs, including FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Ajax, is now in charge of his native national team, The Netherlands, as he looks to steer his star studded side to a successful World Cup campaign.
The 62 year old’s deal runs out with the national side expires after next summer’s World Cup Final’s in Brazil, and Van Gaal himself has expressed his desire to manage in the Premier League at some stage of his career.
Van Gaal was quizzed by Dutch broadcasters NOS weather he would be open to the Tottenham Hotspur job.
Van Gaal stated in that interview…
I’ve always said that I want to work in the Premier League, so there’s a chance.
“But I’ve also read that Frank de Boer and Guus Hiddink were in the picture. Everyone who knows me knows I won’t do two jobs at the same time.”
Van Gaal is higly regarded on the continental stage, with domestic trophies won over the continent to add to his rather glittering CV, the history of success may persuade Levy to act upon the vacent managerial status surrounding the club.
Former Tottenham favourite Glenn Hoddle has also expressed his interest in the vacency at White Hart Lane.
Speaking on Sky Sports 1 before the clash with Southampton, he said: “Do I want the job? Well I’ve had the job there once.
“Tottenham Hotspur, you know I supported them when I was eight years of age. I went there at 12, left there at 28. Went back and managed. It’s in my blood. It’s in my bones.
“If I was offered the job, yes I would want to go back, even if it was for the sake of the club. (Interim manager) Tim (Sherwood) is in pole position here.”
Sherwood took the side for Sunday’s 3-2 win at St Mary’s in a caretaker capacity and also wants a permanent position with the club.
“If the club felt that they wanted me to go in until the end of the season even, they wanted something else long term, I would be prepared to do that because I love the club,” added Hoddle.
Hoddle insists he has not been contacted by Levy, and added that he would be willing to work for the man who sacked him a decade ago.
“They’ve not offered me the job, so it’s all speculation, it’s all a bit of media hype,” he said.
“It’s a different club completely this time. I think I had a squad that was ageing at the time, we were bringing free transfers in, we brought Teddy Sheringham and Gus Poyet in on free transfers.
“This isn’t the same scenario at this club at the moment. It’s a completely different scenario to that. I think there’s a way forward.”
Hoddle managed Spurs from 2001-2004, and it is still unclear wheather Levy would be tempted to give the fan favourite another chance.
Interim manager Tim Sherwood has stated his desire to get the job on a full time basis, and full back Danny Rose has put Sherwood forward to the job, stating that he would be the right candidate for the role at the club.
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
